Bayern Munich warned ahead of Real Madrid clash: “I sense a bit of hype and I don’t like it”
Bayern officials and players stress caution, warning that Madrid remain dangerous in the Champions League knockout clash.
Bayern Munich is determined to avoid any hint of overconfidence despite carrying a 2-1 advantage from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu in its Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid.
A dominant 5-0 win over St. Pauli, which set a new club record for goals in a Bundesliga season, has lifted spirits in Vincent Kompany’s squad. Still, inside the Bayern camp, there is a clear message that the tie is far from decided, even with Real Madrid showing inconsistent form in recent weeks.
Rummenigge calls for calm
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, now a member of Bayern’s supervisory board, was among the first to push back against rising optimism.
“Now we must not make the mistake of letting too much euphoria build,” Rummenigge told DAZN. “At the moment I sense a bit of a hype, and I don’t like it.”
Goretzka pushes back on warnings
Following Bayern’s win in Hamburg, midfielder Leon Goretzka responded directly to those concerns.
“We don’t need anyone to warn us,” Goretzka said. “We know exactly who we are playing and what kind of match this is. In the first leg, you saw how quickly they can create chances. So nobody needs to remind us of that. We know it ourselves.”
Bayern’s “controlled euphoria”
Sporting director Max Eberl struck a more measured tone, stressing that confidence is welcome, but must remain controlled.
“Controlled euphoria is exactly what we have,” Eberl said. “We should take that with us, because what we have achieved cannot be taken away. At the same time, we know what a strong opponent awaits us. We are in a good starting position, but we are not through yet.”
Kimmich on Real Madrid: “They always show up”
Vice-captain Joshua Kimmich also underlined the danger Real Madrid always presents in the Champions League.
“It does not matter what form they are in,” Kimmich said. “When the Champions League comes around, they perform. That is why I think it does not matter how they played before. They always show up.”
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